Follicular Conjunctivitis: Causes and Remedies

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a lining of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. In the case of follicular conjunctivitis the lymph node tissues get inflamed and show up as raised yellow or pink lesions and could be seen on the inside of the bottom eyelids. Children are more prone to getting follicular conjunctivitis due to immature immune system.
Follicular conjunctivitis is mostly caused by viral infections like herpes simplex, adenovirus and chicken pox.

On rare occasions, a Chlamydia infection is responsible for follicular conjunctivitis, especially in neonatal practice, when a baby gets it while passing through the infected mother’s birth canal. Preventative eye drops are usually instilled in all newborns to avoid this condition. An infected with Chlamydia sexual partner can also pass it on resulting in a follicular conjunctivitis.

And finally, the most common cause for follicular conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction to a prescription medication like eye drops or ointments, especially used long term for certain eye conditions like glaucoma.

The most frequently seen symptoms in this type of conjunctivitis are eye redness, discomfort, a foreign-body feeling in the eye, possibly fever and typically raised lymph nodes.

Viral conjunctivitis in itself does not require any treatment and will clear itself up, just like any cold, in 5-7 days. Artificial eye drops may be recommended to lessen the symptoms and discomfort of a dry eye feeling. In some cases of chronic follicular conjunctivitis, steroid anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed to prevent the scarring of the eye tissues. Antibiotics are not prescribed for viral conjunctivitis cases.

It’s impossible for an individual to self-diagnose an eye condition and should always be done by a doctor to prescribe a proper treatment in your case.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is intended for a general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or a treatment for specific medical conditions. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Always consult with your doctor or other professional healthcare provider for a medical advice.